Colorado Women Win Right to Vote in November 7, 1893 Election

Colorado women won the right to vote in the general election of November 7, 1893.

Two massive campaigns prior to this ended in failure at the polls, even though the second election in 1877 was backed by such notables as John Evans, N.C. Meeker and Benjamin Eaton.

Through continued efforts, a bill placing women’s suffrage on the ballot for 1893’s general election was presented by Representative John Heath. The bill passed both houses and was signed by Governor Davis Waite.

The suffragettes opened campaign headquarters in the Tabor Grand Opera House in rooms donated by Baby Doe Tabor. The state was flooded with literature and the press and political parties backed the movement.

On November 7, the Colorado male electorate voted yes on women’s suffrage. The election returns were 35,698 votes for and 29,461 against.

Mrs. John L. Routt, the wife of the first state governor, was the first woman to register to vote.

Denver Post file photo. Colorado women at the polls in 1894 after winning the right to vote in the 1893 general election.